Catalog Number: ADG124Author: The Super GrooversPublisher: ADG ProductionsInternationally renowned authors, musicians and recording artists, Frank Villafranca and Andrew D. Gordon of The Super Groovers have composed a collection of grooves and melodies in the Smooth Jazz Genre creating an exciting supplemental jazz study series for beginner, intermediate and advanced jazz students and musicians.

After releasing their first CD “Supergroovin”, which received world wide airplay, they recognized a need in the music publishing business for a series of books on contemporary improvising within the “Smooth Jazz” genre. Andrew composed and recorded all the rhythm tracks used in this book. In their opinion, the melodies were so catchy they couldn’t resist developing them into completed songs. “Mainline Connection”, “Villefranche–sur-Mer” and “You’re The Only One In My Life”, are a few featured on their second CD, “Mainline Connection”. Their CD's or mp3 downloads are available from iTunes, Amazon.com, CD Baby or from The Super Groovers web site.

The smooth jazz grooves in this 46 page book feature a variety of contemporary rhythm section styles including R&B, Jazz, Funk, Top 40, Rock, Gospel, Hip Hop and Latin. These stylistic influences are frequently associated with smooth jazz. Popular artists in this genre include, The Super Groovers, David Sanborn, Eric Marienthal, Kenny G, Dave Koz, David Benoit, Tom Scott, Gerald Albright, Candy Dulfer, Wilton Felder, Boney James, Chris Botti, Chuck Mangione, Sade, George Benson, Peter White, Lee Ritenour, Earl Klugh, Larry Carlton, Jeff Lorber, Brian Culbertson, George Duke, Joe Sample, Spyro Gyra, Pat Metheny, Four Play, The Yellow Jackets and The Rippingtons.We suggest that you become acquainted with as many of these artists as possible by purchasing their CD's or mp3's via retailers such as itunes or Amazon.com

On each of the 20 tracks, the groove is separated into 3 melodic ideas. Each melodic idea (example or riff) is played first, by the saxophone with the groove, followed by just the rhythm section groove, without sax. The 1st example is usually the easiest, the 2nd slightly harder and the 3rd the most difficult.

Versions for each groove are available as midi files or extended MP3 files where the rhythm tracks for each groove are recorded for approximately 2 minutes.

I think the extended trax are a must have because it allows a lot more practice without constructing a loop etc......thanks again S.J. Georgia

Just received my Jazz Grove ulta smooth book.I can not put it down, its fantastic.D.N.United Kingdom

Review of the book by Skip Spratt of The Sax Shed www.saxshed.com

Ultra Smooth Jazz Grooves written Andrew D. Gordon and Frank Villafranca offers the smooth jazz sax lovers out there an abundance of material for study and play-along. The attractive book and CD set released by A.D.G. productions should keep many pop-oriented sax players busy while honing their skills in this specialized style. Smooth Jazz” has been a staple and top seller in the jazz world for nearly two decades. Prior to the advent of “Smooth Jazz” there were saxophonists such as David Sanborn, Eric Marienthal and Grover Washington who were feeding the “Adult Contemporary” charts year after year. With a deep understanding of this music, Gordon and Villafranca have done a formidable job of representing this music here in Ultra Smooth Jazz Grooves. Each track is actually several shorter examples of the improvised and then transcribed solos played by Frank Villafranca. It is interesting to note that whether by design or not, Villafranca plays very much in the same style and manner as colossus saxophonist Eric Marienthal. Although Marienthal is in a class by himself, Villafranca offers a reverent characterization of Eric Marienthal’s well-known and emulated style. At the conclusion of each of the 20 tracks and examples are some scales and patterns for study. The largely pentatonic and blues based examples serve to break down and explain the melodic content to the reader. Lastly, and of particular note are the optional extended midi tracks supplied with this publication. I was able to drag and drop the midi files directly into Sibelius, Finale and presumably any other midi-friendly application. With access to the midi files, anyone would be able to create their own play-alongs with their favorite sounds or even in different keys. Andrew D. Gordon and A.D.G. productions have done a fine job of compiling this information in and attractive and accessible package. Many a smooth jazz aficionado will appreciate this collection in print and on CD.

Your grooves are amazing! i feel like it is really inspriring. My favourites so far are track 1,2 and 4... im on the second riff so far and they are so good!! thank you for making the book E.H. Great Britain